-
1968: Kerner Commission Documents a Divided Societyget more >> 1942: Detroit Rebellion an Omen of Deadly Riotsget more >> 1988: Debi Thomas Medals at Winter Olympicsget more >> 1870: Political Deal Brings End to Reconstructionget more >> 1870: Hiram Revels Becomes First Black U.S. Senatorget more >> 1864: Rebecca Lee Crumpler Becomes a Physicianget more >> 1868: W.E.B DuBois Born in Massachusettsget more >> 1988: First Grammy Awarded in Rap Categoryget more >> 1965: Malcolm X Assassinated in New York Cityget more >> 1895: Anti-Slavery Crusader Frederick Douglass Diesget more >>
February 1, 1865
President Lincoln Signs 13th Amendment
On this date in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln signed a joint resolution submitting the 13th Amendment, outlawing slavery throughout the United States, to the states for approval. The amendment was ratified on Dec. 6, 1865. (The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by Lincoln on Jan. 31, 1863, had freed slaves only in those Confederate states "under rebellion" against the United States.)